About Us

 

After fifteen years of city living, we moved to the country in search of our own version of “The Good Life”.

We weren’t chasing a glamorous house or postcard-perfect views. What we wanted was something different — a new chapter. A life connected to the seasons. Food grown, harvested and preserved by our own hands. Zero-kilometre living.

We settled on an acre and a bit in the little township of Woodend, at the base of Mount Macedon, and began building that life slowly and imperfectly. Chickens scratching in the yard. Wicking beds overflowing with produce. Jars lining the pantry shelves. We were still working corporate jobs at the time, but every spare moment was poured into creating something more intentional.

The real game changer, though, was our journey into backyard beekeeping. Our food production almost doubled, but more than that, the quiet focus and “zen time” we gained — and continue to gain — from learning alongside these remarkable pollinators has been life changing.

While tending our own small apiary, Ally was working professionally in bee biosecurity with Agriculture Victoria, supporting and educating beekeepers across the state. When Varroa arrived in Australia, she also spent time helping Victorians understand what it meant and how to respond. Those experiences — both practical and professional — shaped our deep respect for informed, resilient beekeeping.

Waggle & Forage began around our kitchen table in 2020, fuelled by good coffee, local wine and a belief that we could offer honest advice and genuine support to the community.

Over time, what started as a personal pursuit of slower living has grown into something a little bigger. Our retail store in Kyneton has become a place for conversations, questions and connection. Behind it, we quietly assemble and prepare the supplies that support commercial and hobbyist beekeepers across Australia.

But at its heart, Waggle & Forage has never just been about equipment or supplies.

It’s about helping beekeepers feel confident.

It’s about strengthening biosecurity awareness and resilient practices.

It’s about supporting healthy bees — because healthy bees support all of us.

 

And that is why we do what we do.

 

Thanks for visiting our page.  Jo & Ally

Waggle & Forage

 

PS - If beekeeping, preserving and home food harvesting is your vibe too, follow us on Facebook & Insta!